Category Archives: ARC review

Book Title: The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #02)
Author: Holly Black
Number of pages: 336

Synopsis:

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– The stakes in court drama and political intrigue are higher and further developed; shifting powers and old/new players make their move
– Setting showcases new environments but often lacks nuance to support the change in scenery, the magic involved, and vivid imagery
– Romance feels more slow burn now (but the previous love square is now a love triangle.)
– Some continuity issues in the writing from info. established in the first book that may just have not been explored rather than being a discrepancy (e.g. Jude’s lying, use of mithridatism, use of magic)

Initial Thoughts

This review has been a long time coming, and I do apologize because a lot of it is going to be based on my notes I wrote months ago. Spoiler level is low-moderate.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of The Wicked King from Hachette at Book Expo.

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Vibrant settings with augmented reality and video gaming at the forefront
– Warcross as a game, although flashy, has so many moving parts that do not make sense in the grand scheme of the competition
– The pro-gaming community is diversely represented
– Plot is predictable; romance is rather bland

Initial Thoughts

I am transferring this review from Goodreads to my blog. I have many thoughts to share. Please be advised I write this from my own gaming experience.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Warcross from PenguinTeen at an author breakfast

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Incredibly well-paced making this read really quick despite its tome-like size; narrative follows three POVs
– Magic system is a bit wonky at times but otherwise the abilities themselves are penned with great imagery during action sequences
– West-African inspired fantasy re: Nigerian/Yoruba influences
– There is a romance and a ship but it does not really take center stage to the conflict
– I’d recommend Google Translate for some passages; inclusive of phrases and incantations that bring to life the mythos and mysticism of this world

Initial Thoughts

The hype is pretty legit!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Children of Blood and Bone from Raincoast Books.